New swine flu vaccine made by ethical means, pro-life group affirms

Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jun 17, 2009 / 12:25 am (CNA).- As the pharmacuetical companies race to produce a vaccine for the swine flu, a Catholic pro-life group has announced that the newly developed vaccine is being made using ethical cell lines.

On Friday the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis announced it had created an experimental vaccine through a canine kidney cell-based technology that seems to be faster than the standard method, which relies on chicken eggs.
Over 30 countries have reportedly requested supply of the vaccine. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services placed a $289 million order with Novartis last month.

Debi Vinnedge, Executive Director of Children of God for Life, said in a press release that the vaccine’s announcement was “great news for families worldwide.”

“Other companies such as Sanofi Pasteur and Medimmune are using aborted fetal cell line PER C6 as their cell culture. Concerned families who may not have otherwise used the swine flu vaccine will now have a moral choice!”

Vinnedge said other companies are also using ethical sources for their cell cultures. Novavax is using insect cell lines, Baxter is using Vero cell lines and Protein Science is using caterpillar cell lines.

"There is simply no reason to use aborted fetal cell lines," Vinnedge said. "We are deeply grateful that Novartis technology is the frontrunner!" she commented.

She added that it was time that other pharmaceutical companies “start listening to the public demand.”

Children of God for Life, a Catholic group, is dedicated to monitoring the use of aborted baby tissue in the creation of vaccines.